What time of year to cut/shape Bald Cypress in Southeastern part od PA? Zone 6b

[SMJ76]

Hm, no foliage to transpire from. Extra water to make certain that roots go anoxic. Heck why stop there. One of the rental stores must have a shredder, you could chip all that remains with an equal expectation of these trees living.

Ok,
First off,...lay off with the smart comments. I got antsy,.. that was incorrect and foolish.

I was told by several people that if it gets hot out and since there are newly potted if I was worried place them in a basin of water. I had seen where a fellow in Chicago had two that started drying up pretty bad and others chimed in to do this to set them in water and that is the only thing that saved some of those other trees. I was told that bald cypress love water and you cannot over water them, as so many of them live in swampy waters anyway and that if I was worried about them drying out, place the whole pot into a basin of water,..So that's what I did!

If I shouldn't place them in water like that just let me know and ill take them out....no reason to be smart about it. Pretty sure I specifically mentioned that I was new to bald cypress....??

Now as far as me chopping about 18" inches off of it,... yes, I got antsy, and should have waited, but I'm sure it will be fine. I'm more than capable of being able to shelter it, etc. Yes, my only mistake was to be impatient,...that doesn't mean I don't appreciate all of the great advice I have received, that doesn't mean I'm trying to kill it and that doesn't give anyone an open season to have an attitude towards me.

Again I thank everyone for their much valued advice.

 

[SMJ76]

Why did you cut it in Summer

I got impatient!,... I know, I know!!!,.... foolish!

 

[JudyB]

I don't think the water basin is necessary since you have no foliage. I would just keep it in dappled shade, and keep it moist. It'll probably pop new buds, the key will be winter protection. It will be working hard to produce new leaves, so it won't have much to store for next year, not much to spare if you loose all the new growth.

I think everyone is just a bit bummed out, because this is such a nice base, we hate to see it die because of lack of patience.

 

[Poink88]

What Judy said. If it survives, you can trim it this way later.

View attachment 39904

 

[SMJ76]

I think everyone is just a bit bummed out, because this is such a nice base, we hate to see it die because of lack of patience.

It won't die,... no way, this sucker's gonna live!!! It has sprouted new buds now anyway, I think its really healthy,...

I really do appreciate the help and advice, I know perhaps when people who have weighed in will see me say, "I chopped it" they'll slap their foreheads and say, "WHAT THE!!??"
I had not seen the reply as to when Choppice had responded as to "when" in the year it was "too late" to chop his,.. so my impatience got he better of me.

No, it won't die,...This is a hearty tree and will stay that way. I'm just going to focus on winter protection, as you said.

 

[Dav4]

No BC expert here, but...wouldn't you want this in full sun to stimulate those adventitious buds to pop and grow as vigorously as possible before it gets cold?

 

[SMJ76]

See this is the thing, I've heard where I'd be good to keep in it water,... now I hear its a no, no,....I hear to keep it in shade, and I had been told on another forum to keep it in the sun,.. it's odd, I think it has to do with (and I'm just guessing here), perhaps where everyone lives? Climate??....
I mean I would think if I put it in the sun and the pot heats up to much aren't I going to want to worry about the roots cooking?

That's like fertilizing,.. I had read I should use a 10-10-10 mixture, then watched a video from a fellow who works with BC in Florida who says when its newly potted and you want to give it an extra kick and use something with a mix of 20-20-20....
I was told I should use a well draining soil,...others with BC trees told me to make sure I had enough pine bark int eh mix or even use some peat moss in there??
So, this is why I'm like,.."Hey I'm new to this,.... trying to figure it out." But yes, my foolishness was my not waiting to see a response from choppice as to when he had considered it to late in the year to chop them,... I got antsy and zip,... off when its top half.

 

[Dav4]

See this is the thing, I've heard where I'd be good to keep in it water,... now I hear its a no, no,....I hear to keep it in shade, and I had been told on another forum to keep it in the sun,.. it's odd, I think it has to do with (and I'm just guessing here), perhaps where everyone lives? Climate??....
I mean I would think if I put it in the sun and the pot heats up to much aren't I going to want to worry about the roots cooking?

That's like fertilizing,.. I had read I should use a 10-10-10 mixture, then watched a video from a fellow who works with BC in Florida who says when its newly potted and you want to give it an extra kick and use something with a mix of 20-20-20....
I was told I should use a well draining soil,...others with BC trees told me to make sure I had enough pine bark int eh mix or even use some peat moss in there??
So, this is why I'm like,.."Hey I'm new to this,.... trying to figure it out." But yes, my foolishness was my not waiting to see a response from choppice as to when he had considered it to late in the year to chop them,... I got antsy and zip,... off when its top half.

As landscape trees, they take full sun throughout the southeast...and I would think they would take full sun in pots as well. I know they like alot of water, and they do fine with plenty of organics in the potting mix. 50% of people will tell you they keep their potted BCs in water during the summer...the other half don't...as long as the tree is well watered, I don't think it matters.

 

[Poink88]

You are off to a good start...at least the thinking part. You touched on good discussion points; local climate, weather, temperature, soil, fertilizer, water, etc.

Each tree is different as well as their needs. All the items you mentioned play together dynamically...change one and the others will be impacted. Advise is just that, in the end you have to make the call and own it. You have to find what works for you, in your location, with your tree, with your methods.

Learn what the tree needs, then give it. Know how it reacts to your actions (repotting, watering, trimming, chopping, pruning, pinching, defoliating, fertilizing, wintering, etc.) then use that to your advantage or at least to make sure the tree survives.

Even bonsai masters do not agree (just look at all the books written), how can we?

Please note...this is coming from a fellow newbie so proceed with caution.

 

[Anthony]

Have one down here since 1980 or so. Nothing fantastic, just happily growing.

However, the water bit. The idea is when you are in a swamp, the water is moving. This was discussed on the IBC years ago. Water in a tray is stagnant. So be careful.
Good Afternoon.
Anthony

* Bright light, may be better for recovery and then dappled light or morning sun.

You shouldn't need fertiliser for about a month.

 

[SMJ76]

Have one down here since 1980 or so. Nothing fantastic, just happily growing.

However, the water bit. The idea is when you are in a swamp, the water is moving. This was discussed on the IBC years ago. Water in a tray is stagnant. So be careful.
Good Afternoon.
Anthony

* Bright light, may be better for recovery and then dappled light or morning sun.

You shouldn't need fertiliser for about a month.

I never knew that about flowing water versus stagnent, that makes sense there would be a difference for BC trees. Well I took them out of the water last night actually so they're drying out now in the sun.
I'm going to place the cypress in the sun we will try that.

 

[JudyB]

As someone who has one, I can only tell you what I do... I have my large one in a pot with 80/20 inorganic/organic. I have plugged the drainage hole, so that when it gets water, it verrrry slowly seeps out over a period of several days. So it is in standing water, but also gets refreshed water. I have a forest that is in mostly organic, with the same drainage plan, and it doesn't do nearly as well with keeping the leaves from burning. (and yes with heat, and full sun, it can happen) My forest will get replanted next year into less organic soil. It could be that it's very rootbound at this point as well.
If it is popping buds already, then I would suggest full morning sun, and a bit of shade for the hot part of the afternoon, as it can be pretty hot this time of year.
I did suggest keeping it out of water, but really just for the time being, while it has little top growth to support. But honestly, you can't rot BC roots if you try. I do not keep mine in water in the winter, FYI.
I would fertilize it at a 10/10/10 for now.

 

[SMJ76]

So a 20-20-20 is a little to much for now then? I also have a 10-10-10 here so i'll switch to that. I also had been alternating some of my other plants with fish emulsion as well.

 

[SMJ76]

What Judy said. If it survives, you can trim it this way later.

View attachment 39904

Hey I just noticed your additional modification to that photo, very nice, slimmed up with even more form,.. thank you for your input.